Are you concerned about the rising cost of food? Unsure what the term "certified organic" means? Interested in learning how to grow your own vegetables in a sustainable manner?

Join us for an evening-long workshop on how to grow your own garden. We’ll talk about the basics of soil science, how to enrich your soil to produce healthy, high-yielding plants. Presenters are seasoned MOFGA farmers and gardeners.

Each year MOFGA sponsors this statewide educational event at over 30 different locations in Maine. The workshops are open to the public and to people of all gardening skill and experience levels.

Kauai Mayor Vetoes Pesticide and GMO Disclosure BillCivil Beat (Honolulu) - 10/31/2013. By Sophie Cocke - In the latest volley in a tense battle over a recently passed bill that would require biotech companies to disclose details about their pesticide use and farmers to acknowledge their genetically engineered crops, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho vetoed it on Thursday.

Launch of Global Initiative: Open Data for Agriculture and NutritionCGIAR - 10/31/2013. The CGIAR Consortium is pleased to announce their support for the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition initiative launched today at the Open Government Partnership in London. It is the first global open data initiative spanning across public and private entities including donors, international organizations and businesses.

F.D.A. Finds 12% of U.S. Spice Imports ContaminatedThe New York Times - 10/30/2013. By Gardiner Harris - About 12 percent of spices brought to the United States are contaminated with insect parts, whole insects, rodent hairs and other things, according to an analysis of spice imports by federal food authorities.

6:30 p.m., Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium, Portland Museum of Art. Hear Christy Hemenway from Gold Star Honeybees, Heather Spalding, MOFGA deputy director, and Fedco Seeds founder CR Lawn talk about our pollinators and the national and local issues that concern them and our food supply. Maine honey and mead tasting to follow. A Community Collaboration between Portland Museum of Art and MOFGA. Free for PMA and MOFGA members ($10 for the general public). Schedule and details.

6 to 9 p.m. Classes held in locations throughout Maine to give gardeners the skills and knowledge to transition from conventional to organic gardening. Registration: typically $5 to cover handouts. Information with class locations.

Locations: Common Ground Education Center in Unity with Jen Ries, or College of the Atlantic in Mount Desert with C.J. Walke. Learn to propagate and reproduce your favorite fruit tree varieties. Participants graft trees to take home and plant. $50 per person. Information and registration.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., East Sangerville Grange. Presented in partnership by East Sangerville Grange, Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Maine Highlands MOFGA Chapter. Speakers will cover topics of interest to both gardeners and commercial farmers. Doors open at 9:30. Light lunch will be provided. For directions go to www.grange.org/eastsangervilleme177/ or call Erin Callaway at 343-0171. RSVPs appreciated to make lunch planning easier.

9 a.m. to the afternoon, MOFGA’s Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity. We'll start with a demonstration on how to plant a tree. All ages are welcome. Bring a shovel, lunch, friends and kids. No charge. FMI: MOFGA.org or apples@mofga.org.